Sweeping-machine



(No Model.)

J. H. L'E TELLIER. SWEBPING MACHINE.

110. 431,146. Patented July 1, 1890.

WHS@ s'sas UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. LE TELLIER, OF SHERMAN,

SWEEPlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,146, dated July 1, 1890.

Application filed October 9, 1889.

To all whom it may concern):

Be it known that 1, JOHN H. LE TELLIER,a` citizen of the United States, residing at Sherman, in the county of Grayson and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Sweepin g-Machine, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to machines forsweepinglawns,barn-yards,and the like; and ithas for its object to provide a device of this class adapted to be operated by hand, and which shall be simple, durable, and efficient in operation.

The invention consists in the improved construction,arrangement, and combinationV of part-s, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

1n the drawings hereto annexed, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved lawnsweeper. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken through the rear axle of the machine and looking in a forward direction. Fig. 4is a detail view of the rotary brush and the adjusting mechanism for the same.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

1 designates a rectangular frame, which is provided at itsfront end withlateral1y-extend ing spindles 2, carrying the supporting-Wheels 3. The sides of the frame 1 are provided near their rear ends with bearings for the transverse axle 4, upon which the operating-Wheels 5 5 are mounted. One of said operating-Wheels is provided with a spring-pawl 6, adapted to engage a ratchet-wheel 7, which is keyed securely upon the shaft or axle 4, to which latter a rotary motion may thus be transmitted when the machine passes over the ground in a forward direction, While, when the machine is moved rearwardly, the spring-pawl Will slip over the ratchet-wheel 7 and the axle will remain stationary.

Mounted pivotally upon the ends of the axle adjacent to the inner sides of the side pieces of the frame is a pair of segmental plates 8, having bearings 9 for the shaft 10 of the rotary cylindrical brush 11. Thelatter consists, preferably, of a Wooden cylinder having a series of radially-extending iiat teeth 12, formed of elastic sheet metal. The cylinderforming Serial No. 326,433. (No model.)

the body of the rotarybrush may be composed of segmental sections 13, suitably connected, and each provided with Vany desired number of the teeth l2, which may be secured in any suitable manner in the said sections. The outer ends of the segmental plates 8 are provided with concentric slots 14 for the passage of the bolts 15, which extend through the side pieces of the frame, and are provided at their outer ends with thumb-nuts 16, which may be tightened, so as to secure the bearing-plates and the rotary brush at any desired vertical adjustment. The rotary brush is provided near one of its ends With apinion 17, meshing With the spur-wheel 18, which is mounted securely upon the axle 4. By this mechanism rotary motion will be transmitted to the brush from the axle when the machine is passing in a forward direction over the ground, while when the machine is moved rearward the brush remains stationary.

19 designates a dust-pan, which is composed of wooden side pieces 20, having a sheet-metal covering or bottom 21 and providedwith a transverse cleat or top brace 22. The rear end of this pan or box is inclined in a downward direction, as shown at 23, to the opening 24, and it has a cover 25, which is made of wire-cloth, and which, while it prevents the lighter contents of the box-such as leaves and grass-from flying` out, enables the contents of the box to be constantlyinspected by the operator. The vsides of the trash-box 19 are provided with laterally-extending pins or plugs 26, adapted to support it in position for operation upon the side pieces of the frame l, and the latter are provided With upwardly-extending plugs 27 to engage the pins 26, and thus retain the box or pan 19 in the desired position.

The operation of this invention will readily be understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed. lVhen the machine is pushed. over the ground, a rotary motion is transmitted to the brush, which will thus be caused to sweep all the trash-such as grass, dead leaves, and the like-up the inclined rear end 23 of the box 19 and into the latter. When the said box or receptacle is full, it maybe easily lifted off the frame and emptied.

By means of this machine lawns and yards may be swept more easily and thoroughly and IOO kept in better order than by such means as have been heretofore employed for this purpose.

The device will be found especially useful for collecting the cut grass left'by lawn-mowers of the ordinary construction. Its construction is exceedingly simple and inexpensive, and it may be readily manipulated by means of handles of ordinary construction, with Which it is provided.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim is- 1. In alaWn-sweeper, the combination,with the frame mounted upon supporting-Wheels at its front and rear ends and having the rotating rear axle, of the vertically-adjustable revolving brush receiving motion from the said axle, and a dust pan or receptacle having laterally-extending pins or plugs, whereby it is supported detachably upon the frame of the machine in front of the revolving brush, substantially as set forth.

` front end, of the dust panor receptacle having laterally-extending pins or plugs adapted to engage the plugs extending' upwardly from the side pieces of the frame and to support the dust-pan detachably upon said frame, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

' JOHN H. LE TELLIER.

Witnesses:

W. T. FEARS, J. W. GRAY. 

